Racial/ethnic Minority Summer Internship Deadlines

November 15, 2012

Deadlines have been announced to apply for a 2013 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in social justice placements in the U.S. capital. The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22 from United Methodist racial/ethnic minority caucuses and Central Conferences, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.

Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group, the summer internship, May 29-Aug. 3, is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans.

The program, administered by GBCS, also seeks to attract United Methodist young adults from the Central Conferences of Africa, Philippines and Europe. Applicants must be full members in The United Methodist Church.

Deadlines to submit applications for internships are the following:

Jan. 11 for applicants outside the United States.

Feb. 1 for applicants in the United States.

Interns participate in weekly devotions and topical seminars to supplement their daily work experience. Interns also will visit the United Nations office of GBCS in New York City. They will participate in seminars that educate interns about the international advocacy work The United Methodist Church does at the United Nations.

Concern for social justice

Applicants must be in good academic standing at their college or university, demonstrate evidence of their concern for social justice through extracurricular activity, academic study and have some history of involvement in their church and/or community.

If employed full-time, applicants must show active leadership and participation in their local church and community, including involvement in social justice activities.

GBCS will provide round-trip transportation to and from Washington, D.C.; housing during the internship at George Washington University; commuter stipend for travel to work sites; and $1,500 for each intern for the eight-week period.

Applications will be evaluated on an applicant's passion and potential to engage in broad-based social justice ministries. Priority will be given to an applicant's commitment to public policy, demonstrated leadership and potential for leadership within The United Methodist Church and society.

Initial criteria for selection will include a substantial written response, evidence of leadership within the denomination at the local church, conference or general church level. Academic achievements and a readiness to apply university study to the internship will also be considered.

The EYA Interns are expected to return to their schools, churches and communities with an increased commitment to working with and on behalf of marginalized groups in society. Interns are also expected to share their experience with others.

The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education & Leadership Formation, United Nations & International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations.